#30 Encorium CE Brightening Buffet
New Vitamin C serum in the market, well probably not so new now given I am already on my 4th bottle.
About the brand
Encorium is newish Malaysian brand that has only launched one product - CE Brightening Buffet. In simple words, it’s a multi-antioxidant serum that innovate around ingredients sourced locally. The brand ethos is simple – affordable and well-formulated skincare.
Disclosure: The product went into development for over a year, where I’ve tested the two formulations before the final (current) version is being launched. There are some progression made to texture and current formulation is by far, very much gentle and yet effective.
What does it do?
A serum that can be used generally for anti-oxidant protection and support collagen building. The main featured ingredients include:
Ascorbic Acid (18% concentration) – pure form of vitamin c and its arguably the most potent and yet unstable form (quicker to oxidasion).
3 different-sized hyaluronic acids – star hydrator
Vitamin E 2% (with 1% Tocotrienols) – antioxidant, support the skin to repair itself.
Tocotrienol is another type of vitamin E family found abundantly in red palm in Malaysia. It has much smaller molecule size compared to the ordinary vitamin E (tocopherol). Brand indicated that experimental research shows that Tocotrienols does is 60x more effective as an antioxidant.
Ferulic Acid at 1% - boost performance of Vitamin C and E
How do you use ?
Pour the separate ascorbic acid powder (small vial) into the emulsion (black bottle) and shake until both are well mix. I would personally do this a day before first time use and let the serum settle. A small paper filter was given to assist the mixing situation
very detailed instructions listed at the back of the packaging.
How does it works on me
This serum is a glow-giver, very much expected since 18% of pure form of Vitamin C (in the form of Ascorbic Acid) is included. I do see a progressive glow within a week and very much difference when the serum is absent from my daily routine.
Since Ascorbic Acid is arguably more aggressive and can potentially unfit sensitive skin types/conditions, I find this serum much gentler and less stingy that I wouldn’t consciously put it away when my skin’s barrier is on at its best, very often caused by retinoids and shaving.
However if you are one of those who are intolerant to Vitamin C or L-Ascorbic Acid, that would be an entire different conversation.
What is the texture?
Lightweight, a slight tackiness on the first touch (as most Vitamin C serum do), settled in within seconds and subsequently goes on perfectly under/over any other serums and moisturiser. I’ve tested this with all types of serum and moisturiser textures and the serum play very well into any routine.
The serum is much lighter than an oil-based serum. I generally find the inclusion of Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid in a formulation is massively emollient, but surprisingly not the case for this serum. Could it be the smaller molecule size Tocotrienol?
Would I repurchase?
Yes, and I would recommend. I am now on my 4th bottle.
Vitamin C serum is the one product that I always recommend one to purchase and put it to use instantly. Now without having to worry about shipping, turnaround and oxidation, this is a very effective product that also now offer convenience in distribution.
My take
Firstly, for a new brand to start of with a Vitamin C serum is a very bold move. Vitamin C is one of those funny ingredient that either one reacts to well or the complete opposite. I applaud the bravery. Unless you have tons of financial backup and resources, if the first launch doesn’t go right, it certainly wouldn’t go well down the journey.
The Vitamin C, E and Ferulic combination is not new. Ever since Skinceuticals launched its iconic, famous, clinical-trialed CE Ferulic serum, this holy-trinity serum in a bottle has been in every single beauty editor and journalist recommended buys. Since then, there has been many dupes and copy-cat formulations of its kind marketing at a very much lower price point. There is a reason why the iconic product is iconic - the clinical trials confirm the efficacy, and which further justify its unreachable retail price that I can fairly say unaffordable to the general public. There is no shortage of well-studied ingredients in the market. We all know how powerful Vitamin C, E and Ferulic acid is. But chucking them into one serum isn’t as simple as that.
I was initially skeptical that this will be just another Vitamin C serum coming to the market. After being sent the previous two formulations, observe how the brand taken in feedbacks and made adjustments, I was fairly convinced. When the brand owner then told me how the brand was innovating on locally sourced ingredients (Tocotrienol), I am then fully onboard – I am convinced that I am placing my time and effort in a brand that is taking innovation seriously before launching a product into the already very saturated market. Of course, the formulation is effective and my user results justify itself.
A little rant - I am tired of seeing influencers actively promoting products launched like every other month and speaking as if they are holy-grail. Although I can’t say it for true, but my suspicion is that many of these products are just trend-focus products with white-label (no-shame on this) formulations, repacked into aesthetically pleasing and Instagram-worthy tubs and bottles. If you have used very sophisticated formulations, you can tell just by when the products get onto the back of your palm.
I’ll give the brand a little more credit when each formulation is taken with extra care. This serum is in the market for over a year now by the time of writing and they have not yet still launch another product. The brand owner told me that until they have a formulation excellent in the line-up, the brand will not launch another product.
For me – I’ve posted about my first impression on my Instagram when it first came out and I took almost a year to form a conclusion if I wanted to recommend this serum.
*I’ve been gifted products from the brand, however this post is not sponsored, not required to, genuine user-experience and opinions.